Greensleeves key

1. What key is Greensleeves written in?
2. Is Greensleeves in a minor key?
3. Who actually wrote Greensleeves?
4. Did Henry VIII really write Greensleeves?

What key is Greensleeves written in?

Greensleeves is written in a minor key, D minor in this instance, though I know it more commonly in A minor. The occasional sixth and all the sevenths are sharpened in the melody but only a few sevenths are sharpened in the harmony.

Is Greensleeves in a minor key?

To all intents and purposes, Greensleeves is in a minor key. It's actually a Dorian mode melody that through the ages has acquired a more modern minor key treatment.

Who actually wrote Greensleeves?

According to Wikipedia: A widely-believed (but completely unproven) legend is that it was composed by King Henry VIII of England (1491-1547) for his lover and future queen consort Anne Boleyn.

Did Henry VIII really write Greensleeves?

While 'Greensleeves' probably wasn't written by Henry VIII, it's still an enduring example of Tudor music. Vaughan Williams, one of the 20th century's most popular English composers, was inspired by the piece to compose his Fantasia on Greensleeves, complete with the rich strumming of a harp (listen above).